Influence of parity on gestational and perinatal parameters of jennies of the Nordestino ecotype.

This study aimed to expand the knowledge on maternal and perinatal parameters of donkeys of the Nordestino ecotype to support clinical and reproductive management. A sample of 29 jennies and their foals was assigned to two groups (primiparous and multiparous) in a completely randomized design. In the prepartum period, the pH of mammary secretion was monitored daily. During foaling and in the first hours of life of foals, gestational parameters including maternal weight, the length of gestation, of parturition, and of placenta release, placenta weight, and placenta/mother, newborn/mother, and placenta/newborn ratios were assessed. Perinatal parameters such as time for sternal recumbency, standing up, showing suckling reflex, first suckling, first urination, and meconium release were also assessed. In both groups, foaling proximity was characterized by a progressive reduction in the pH of mammary secretion, with parturition on average taking place 39 h after pH reached 6.4. No differences (p > 0.05) in gestational parameters were observed between primiparous and multiparous jennies. However, foals from multiparous mothers had higher weight at parturition (18.92 ± 1.99 kg) when compared with those from primiparous jennies (16.35 ± 2.27 kg) (p = 0.004). The former took less time to stand up (multiparous: 22.90 ± 11.63 min; primiparous: 46.25 ± 29.80 min) and for first suckling (multiparous: 57.00 ± 21.62 min; primiparous: 93.50 ± 28.20 min) (p = 0.01). It is concluded that monitoring mammary secretion pH is an efficient method to help predict foaling and that foals from multiparous jennies exhibit neonatal behaviors earlier.